Eating Disorder Treatment Center

An unhealthy relationship with food can become a cause for emotional and physical distress. Excessive or low intake of food, obsessive exercising, forced or induced vomiting and social withdrawals are some of the signs defining Eating Disorders. It is a mental ailment that can become chronic and even life threatening for men and women of all ages. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental health, there are three main types of Eating Disorders:

Causes of Eating Disorders:

Like other complex mental illnesses, Eating Disorders can also be triggered by various factors including biological, environmental and psychological. Biological and psychological influences are mainly due to the hormonal disturbances, genetic variations and due to poor self-esteem issues.

However, environmental contributory factors are also involved and may include family troubles, childhood traumas, certain professional implications or even relationship stresses.

Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorder:

Like the majority of other mental illnesses, anxiety attacks don’t have to be necessarily due to a
character defect or some personal insecurity. Research has proven that anxiety disorders occur as a
result of a combination of biological, situational, genetic or environmental factors. Some common risk
factors include:

behavioral inhibition during childhood

financial and relationship issues

history of anxiety disorders in close family relatives

High cortisol levels in saliva (specifically for social anxiety disorder)

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder:

Anorexia Nervosa:

People afflicted with this type of Eating Disorder live in an illusion of being overweight, when in actuality they are seriously underweight. It is regarded as one of the most fatal mental illnesses as it has the highest rate of mortality than any mental disorder, especially among women. Patients with Anorexia Nervosa depict symptoms of:

Extreme fear of gaining weight

Unnecessary refusal to eat meals

Bone degeneration due to malnourishment

Constipation

low blood pressure

Bulimia Nervosa:

People suffering from Bulimia Nervosa lack control over their eating routine. They eat excessively but yet maintain a healthy normal weight, unlike anorexic patients, because of their caloric compensation behavior. This behavior usually involves induced vomiting, immense exercise, and unnecessary use of laxatives or fasting. Such patients can be characterized with symptoms which include:

GIT disturbances

Decaying and sensitive teeth

Chronic throat inflammation

Electrolyte imbalance

Binge-Eating Disorder:

Similar to Bulimia Nervosa, people complaining of Binge-Eating disorder also lose track of what and how much they are eating. The difference for such behavior is that the eating session is not followed by a patient trying to compensate the calories which ultimately leads to obesity. One of the most common Eating Disorders, the patient may depict symptoms of:

Eating when not hungry

Eating secretively to avoid embarrassment

Feeling distressed after eating

Eating speedily

People who consider themselves to be afflicted with this disorder or anyone you may know that suffers from any such symptoms can dial 866-926-1149 for assistance. Not only would they be directed towards proper treatment but would also be given professional and trustworthy advice.

Eating Disorder Recovery and Treatment:

Remember, acceptance of this illness and the need for treatment is the first step in embarking towards the road to recovery. There are five basic types or levels of treatment for eating disorders based on the severity and form of condition. Based on the acuity, these levels or types are:

1)Outpatient Treatment: where the patient sees a therapist or nutritionist 2-3 times a week.

2) Intensive OutpatientTreatment (IOP): in which the patient, while getting more support (3-5times a week) than out-patient, maintains his routine life.

5) Continuing care: on-going support following a treatment plan, especially residential or inpatient.

If you are unsure of your stage you can call 866-926-1149 to help you determine the right treatment plan and to improve the recovery progress.

Therapies and Medications:

Eating disorder treatment plan is known to comprise of several authentic therapies and medications, besides provision of medical care, in order to ensure complete care.

Therapies:

One of the fundamental step for the treatment is following different kinds of therapies that aid in addressing the underlying cause of a particular type of Eating Disorder. Commonly used therapies are:

Art Therapy

Motion or Dance Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Family Therapy

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Medications:

Some mood stabilizers or anti-anxiety medications prove to be effective in resolving behavioral symptoms associated with the disorder.

Key steps of locating treatment:

Search for a qualified person who is specialized in the management and treatment of eating disorders and is professionally trained to tailor a treatment plan which meets the requirements of a particular patient. This may typically commence on the outpatient level or even through websites, such as the Geo Metric Vision, which can help the patient in locating the closest treatment provider using your address, city or area code.

You may also speak to a licensed counselor at 866-926-1149 before opting for a residential or inpatient care plan. This may free your or any patient’s mind from any kinds of doubts or queries you may have regarding the disorder.